Danger on Maui


 
 
 
 “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
 Daphne took that to heart. “Trust me, I feel the same way. But there are no guarantees, are there?” she stated honestly. “No woman wants to see her life come to an end by a serial killer. We can only try to outlast them while living our lives.” She realized it wasn’t as simple as that no matter how many times she said it. The female victims in her book were proof of that.
 “You’re right.” Kenneth spoke calmly. “You can’t hide under a rock. Just do me a favor—don’t let your guard down, even as you live that life. If something were to ever upend it...”
 His voice broke and Daphne instinctively reached across the table to touch his hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not a quitter,” she promised him. “I have so much to live for.” You’re one of those things, she thought, in spite of not knowing where they were headed.
 
 
 DANGER ON MAUI
 R. Barri Flowers
 
 
 
 R. Barri Flowers is an award-winning author of crime, thriller, mystery and romance fiction featuring three-dimensional protagonists, riveting plots, unexpected twists and turns, and heart-pounding climaxes. With an expertise in true crime, serial killers and characterizing dangerous offenders, he is perfectly suited for the Harlequin Intrigue line. Chemistry and conflict between the hero and heroine, attention to detail and incorporating the very latest advances in criminal investigations are the cornerstones of his romantic suspense fiction. Discover more on popular social networks and Wikipedia.
 Books by R. Barri Flowers
 Harlequin Intrigue
 Hawaii CI
 The Big Island Killer
 Captured on Kauai
 Honolulu Cold Homicide
 Danger on Maui
 Chasing the Violet Killer
 Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.
 
 
 CAST OF CHARACTERS
 Daphne Dockery—A bestselling true crime writer on Maui to research her next book, she enlists aid from a handsome detective who worked the case, while also trying to dodge a persistent stalker and being targeted by a serial killer at large.
 Kenneth Kealoha—A homicide detective for the Maui PD Criminal Investigation Division, he’s investigating a serial killer targeting attractive dark-haired women on the island. Can he stop the unsub from going after the Southern beauty who has captured his fancy?
 Jared McDougall—An ex-cop and expert in criminal background analysis, living in retirement. But could he also be a serial killer?
 Francis Hiraga—An ER doctor who is linked to both cases and may have knowledge pertinent to the current investigation.
 Marissa Sheffield—An obsessed fan of Daphne’s, who is intent on being in her life. But will the stalker go too far in her fixation on the true crime author?
 The Maui Suffocation Killer—Terrorizing the island by suffocating his female victims to death. Will Daphne fall prey to his homicidal tendencies?
 
 
 In memory of my beloved mother, Marjah Aljean, a devoted lifelong fan of Harlequin romances, who inspired me to do my very best in finding happiness and success in my personal and professional endeavors. To H. Loraine, the love of my life, whose support has been unwavering through the many wonderful years together; and the loyal fans of my romance, mystery, suspense and thriller fiction published over the years. Lastly, thanks to my fantastic editors, Allison Lyons and Denise Zaza, for the opportunity to lend my literary voice and creative spirit to the Harlequin Intrigue line.
 
 
 Contents
 Prologue
 Chapter One
 Chapter Two
 Chapter Three
 Chapter Four
 Chapter Five
 Chapter Six
 Chapter Seven
 Chapter Eight
 Chapter Nine
 Chapter Ten
 Chapter Eleven
 Chapter Twelve
 Chapter Thirteen
 Chapter Fourteen
 Chapter Fifteen
 Chapter Sixteen
 Epilogue
 Excerpt from French Quarter Fatale by Joanna Wayne
 
 
 Prologue
 He’s hot, Jena Sutcliffe had to admit, as she admired from afar the tall, fit and handsome dark-haired man at Linc’s Tavern on Wharf Street in Lahaina, a happening town in West Maui in the County of Maui, Hawaii. She doubted he even noticed her, even if most considered her to be attractive and a good catch, with long and luscious raven hair and pretty blue eyes. But Maui was full of good-looking and sexy young women, many of whom seemed to be at the club that night and were all over him like an expensive suit. Or was that just her imagination? Jena turned her focus to another dark-haired hottie, who was sitting at the bar all by his lonesome and, like her, appeared to be taking it all in, as if to size up both the competition and the hot women. Again, he never seemed to lay his eyes on her, as she apparently wasn’t what he was looking for.
 His loss, Jena told herself dismissively as she sipped her Lava Flow drink and pushed back at the thought of wanting to get the attention of Mr. Hot Stuff. After all, what was it they said about the definition of insanity? Hadn’t she already been burned in the past by tall, dark-haired, handsome and virile men who looked like him? Why put herself through that agony again?
 Jena turned away from the man, content to finish off her drink and head home alone. She did need to get up early for work at a hotel, where she was an event planner. Who knows, maybe I’ll meet my sexy knight in shining armor at the next big event, she told herself while not holding her breath. She made her way through the crowded bar, imagining one of the knights in shining armor would follow, sweep her off her feet, and it would be the start of something great.
 By the time she left the place and climbed into her orange Subaru WRX, reality had set in and she drove home. Jena was unaware that someone had gotten into another vehicle and began to follow her.
 
 IF HE HAD a dollar for every woman who never looked his way, underestimating him or just what he was capable of, he would be a very rich man right now.